Closure mechanism for bottom dump hopper car doors

ABSTRACT

A side of track closure mechanism is provided for engaging and exerting an inwardly directed lateral thrust against bottom dump doors in their open position for hingedly moving the doors inwardly into a closed position. The actuating mechanism includes a rotating lever having actuating means at opposite ends thereof and includes means for positioning the actuating means sequentially in position so that they engage the doors of dump cars movable on a track alongside the closure mechanism.

United States Patent Peterson et al.

CLOSURE MECHANISM FOR BOTTOM DUMP HOPPER CAR DOORS Inventors: William H.Peterson, Homewood,

111.; Valerian S. Bochenek, Jr., Hammond, 1nd.

Assignee: Pullman Incorporated, Chicago, 111.

Filed: Nov. 2, 1973 Appl. No.: 412,390

US. Cl. 214/63, 105/241 C, 105/308 E, 105/308 P Int. Cl Bold 7/30 Fieldof Search 214/58, 63; 105/241 C, 105/308 E, 308 P References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS Cooper 214/63 1 Sept. 17, 1974 3,773,194 11/1973Schuller ..214/63 Primary ExaminerRobert G, Sheridan Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Hi1mond O. Vogel [57] ABSTRACT A side of track closure mechanism isprovided for engaging and exerting an inwardly directed lateral thrustagainst bottom dump doors in their open position for hingedly moving thedoors inwardly into a closed posi tion. The actuating mechanism includesa rotating lever having actuating means at opposite ends thereof andincludes means for positioning the actuating means sequentially inposition so that they engage the doors of dump cars movable on a trackalongside the closure mechanism.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures lil lil PAIENTED SEP] 1 m4 SHEET 3 [IF 3CLOSURE MECHANISM FOR BOTTOM DUMP HOPPER CAR DOORS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a prime object of the presentinvention to provide an improved off-car alongside-of-track mechanismfor closing downwardly swinging hopper doors as the car is movedalongside the mechanism. The mechanism is of a simplified designconsisting of an arm or lever rotatable about a vertical axis and havingopposite actuating end portions which engage lugs or sockets disposed onthe doors when the same are in an open position and are moved alongsidethe mechanism. The longitudinal movement of the car provides the forcefor rotating the lever in its engaged position thereby exerting alateral thrust against the doors to hingedly swing them inwardly intothe closed position. Also, provisions are provided on the mechanismwhich will cause the arm to be repositioned immediately after it closesa door to again be in position for engaging and moving the followingdoor of the car to its closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of ahopper car positioned adjacent to a closure mechanism for closing bottomdump doors;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view taken substantially along the line 22 ofFIG. 1 showing linkage mechanisms for outwardly swinging hopper doors;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing portions of a door closingmechanism;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partially in crosssection, disclosinga door closure mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the movement of a door closingmechanism in closing a swinging car door;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, partially in crosssection, takenalong the line 66 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing in elevationreleasable locking mechanism for downwardly swinging dump doors.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now particularly toFIG. 1, an open top hopper car 10 comprises a body 11 having at oppositesides thereof longitudinally extending side sills 12. The illustratedhopper car 10 comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced hoppers 13formed by inclined end slope sheets 14. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 7,the outer ends of the hopper are also provided with vertical end walls15 and the hopper is further formed by inclined side slope sheets 16.The hopper car 10 is supported on suitable wheel trucks 17, in turncarried by a conventional railway track 18. The end slope sheets 14,vertical end sheets 15 and side slope sheets 16 direct material from thehopper downwardly through an opening designated at 19 as disclosed inFIG. 2. The opening 19 is adapted to be closed by means of downwardlyswinging side opening doors 20. As indicated above, the present carutilizes two end-to-end hoppers. The linkage mechanism shown in FIG. 2is provided at each of the opposite ends of each hopper and includes endhinge arms 21 and 22 providing ends for the doors 20 of each hopper.Opposite ends of the side slope sheets 16 of each hopper are alsoprovided with end angle members 23 and 24 providing hinge supports forthe doors 20. Such hinge supports 23 and 24 are also provided at theopposite ends of each of the hoppers.

The hopper also is provided with a plurality of stifieners 25 whichreinforce the side slope sheets 16 and which are longitudinally spacedalong the outer surfaces thereof. The lower ends of the reinforcingstiffeners 25 also provide hinge supports for stiffeners 28 which areconnected to the lower surfaces of each of the doors 20 inlongitudinally spaced relation and which by means of pivot pins 29 alsofurther provide for hinge support for each of the doors on the hingesupports 25. FIG. 2 discloses only one of the hinge supports 25 andstiffeners 28, but a plurality of these extend along the underneathportion of the hopper to effectively hinge the doors 20 for downwardhinging movement about longitudinal axes. The end angle hinge supports23 and 24 also include pivot pins 27 which pivot the ends of the doors20 on the hinge supports 23 and 24, the said hinge pins 27 being inlongitudinal alignment with the hinge pivots 29.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the hinge arms 22 are provided with anupwardly extending arm 30 to which an adjustable link 31 is pivotallyconnected by means of a pivot pin 32. The other end of the link 31 ispivotally connected by means of a pivot pin 33 to a bracket 34 in turnrigidly connected to the hinge arms 21. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 7,a pivoted latch 35 includes an'arm 36 which is pivotally connected bymeans of a pivot 37 to each of the vertical end sheets 15. A hook orkeeper 38 on the pivoted latch 35 is shown in locking and supportingrelation with respect to a catch 39 in turn provided on the outer endsof each of the arms 22. The latch 35 also includes an elongated slot 40.The link 41 by means of a pivot pin 42 is pivotally connected within theslot to the latch 35. The latch 35 is continually urged to the positionshown in FIGS. 2 and 7 by means of a spring 44 connected to said latchand to a lug 43 connected to each of the vertical walls 15. The link 41is pivotally connected by pivot means 46 to an arm pivotally supportedon a bracket 47 by means of a rotatable torsion tube 48. The torsiontube 48 extends longitudinally to the opposite end of a hopper where itin turn is connected to a duplicate of the mechanism just described. Thetorsion tube has connected thereto, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, atrip lever 49 and has connected at its end thereof a bumper plate 50which is adapted to be engaged by a suitable camming means (not shown)stationarily positioned alongside the track for actuating trippingmovement of the latch as will be presently described. The trip lever andassociated mechanism is duplicated on opposite sides of the car and isprovided for each of the hoppers so that the latch may be tripped fromeach side of the car. The levers 49 on opposite sides of the car foreach hopper are suitably interconnected by linkage means not disclosedwhich will function to trip the latch mechanism from both sides of thecar. As shown in FIG. 7, a spring mechanism 51 engages each of the triplevers 49 to urge the same into the position shown.

A closure mechanism for the doors is generally designated by thereference character 52 and includes an actuating arm or lever 53 havingat opposite ends thereof actuating portions 54 containing ball elements55. As best shown in FIG. 3, yoke elements 56 extend vertically from acam 57, and as indicated in FIG. 4, the lever 53 is pivotally connectedto the yoke elements 56 by pivot means 58. The pivot means 58 permitsthe lever 53 to be rocked about a substantially horizontal axis. The cam57 also includes a vertical pivot pin 59 which is suitably positionedfor rotation within a horizontal support 60 which may consist of a metalbox type construction and which is suitably supported and fastened to aconcrete bed 60 to one side of the track 18. The cam 57 includesinwardly extending arcuate cam faces 61 connected to cylindrical camfaces 62. An L-shaped arm 63, as best shown in FIG. 3, is pivotallyconnected by pivot means 64 to the support 60. The arm 63 includes yokefingers 65 on which is journaled a wheel cam follower 66 supported onpivot means 67. A stop 68 secured to the support 60 holds captive aspring 69 suitably having one end support on the arm 63 for urging thecam follower 66 against the cam faces 61 and 62.

THE OPERATION The present invention is particularly suited to railwayhopper cars utilized in unit train operations. Such trains consistentirely of hoppers carrying coal or other comminuted materials whichare dumped downwardly through the tracks into suitable bin arrangementswhen the train arrives at its destination. As each car moves into theunloading area a suitable cam device or other actuating means willengage the bumper plate 50 moving the lever 49 inwardly thereby pivotingthe arm 45 to move the link 41 outwardly whereupon the latch 35 isdisengaged from the catch 39 and the doors 20 can now move downwardly asthe load is discharged by gravity through the tracks. As the car nowmoves along the track with its doors open it moves alongside the closuremechanism of the present invention. During this movement one of theballs of the lever 53 engages one of the sockets 74 of the bracket 73and as the car moves the arm 53 is rotated about a vertical axis, asbest shown in FIG. 5. The movement of the car and its relationship tothe arm 53 provides for an inwardly directed force to be exerted againstthe doors which swings the door inwardly until they are locked in closedposition as shown in FIG. 2. As the doors are swung inwardly into theirlocked position the arm 54 which is being held captive in the socket 74also tilts somewhat upwardly following the door to its closed position.This upward tilting is accommodated for by the hinge means 58 connectingthe arm 53 to the yoke elements 56. Since the doors are interconnectedas indicated in FIG. 2 by means of the link 31 actuation or inwardmovement of one of the doors provides for the inward and hingingmovement of the other door. During this closing movement the catchelements 39 ride against the outer surfaces of the keeper hook 38pushing the latch 35 to one side whereupon the catch 39 is moved intoengagement with the hook 38 and the spring 44 immediately urges thelatch into the locked position shown in FIG. 2.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the arm 53 is in a diagonal position forengaging the bracket 73. In this position the follower 66 is disposedwithin one of the inwardly directed arcuate cam surfaces 61 and by meansof the spring 69 is maintained against the camming surfaces to hold thecam 57 in this position. However, as the arm is rotated about its axisby the moving car the cam follower leaves the concave surface 61 andrides about the cylindrical outer cam surface 62. As the arm is rotatedwith the engaged ball 55 being swung in an arc the engaged ball 55 isnow moved free of the closed door and the spring pressed cam follower 66rides toward the concave surfaces urging the cam to again rotate to theposition wherein the other actuating ball 55 is again in the diagonalposition ready to be engaged by the bracket and socket of a succeedingdoor which then again will be closed in the manner described above.

By the simplified mechanism shown therefor the doors are positivelyclosed by a positive lateral force which is initiated by thelongitudinal movement of the car alongside the closure mechanism. Uponengagement of the actuating ball with the socket the arm is locked inposition with the door and is only disengaged after the door has beenclosed whereupon the actuating arm is then again immediately positionedready for engagement with a succeeding door to again perform the closingfunction. Thus it is believed a simple and effective door closingmechanism has been provided which will achieve the objects of thepresent invention.

What is claimed is:

1. For a hopper car having a hopper positioned between a pair of sidesills,

door means supported on said car for hinging movement on longitudinalaxes parallel to said sills from an open substantially vertical positionto a closed substantially horizontal position beneath said hopper,

means releasably locking said door means in said closed position, saidreleasable means providing for release of said door means to dischargematerial from said hopper, the improvement comprising;

a door means closing mechanism including a support stationarilypositioned to one side of a track on which said car is positioned,

a closing arm having actuating means thereon,

means supporting said arm for pivotal movement about a vertical axis onsaid support whereby said actuating means is movable in a generallycylindrical path around said axis,

engageable means on said door means,

means positioning said arm whereby said actuating means is in actuatingposition to engage said engageable means on said door means when saidcar is moved on said track alongside said support thereby rotating saidarm to provide a lateral force moving said door means inwardly to aclosed position, and

means urging said arm again into said actuating position.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

said arm in said actuating position extending diagonally relative to thedirection of movement of said car.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

said means supporting said arm for pivotal movement including resilientmeans accommodating tilting movement of said arm during closing of saiddoor means.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

said engageable means comprising a socket within which said actuatingmeans is engaged during closing movement.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

said arm in its cylindrical movement closing said door means having saidengaged actuating means moving underneath said car in proximity to thelongitudinal center of said car.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

including resilient means urging said rotating arm to move said secondactuating means into actuating position.

7. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

including spring activated means between said arm and said supporturging and releasably positioning said arm during rotation thereof insaid actuating position.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

including resilient means associated with said means supporting said armaccommodating tilting movement of said arm during closing of said doormeans.

9. For a hopper car having a hopper positioned between a pair of sidesills,

a pair of doors supported on said car for hinging movement onlongitudinal axes parallel to said sills from an open substantiallyvertical position to a closed substantially horizontal position beneathsaid hopper,

linkage means interconnecting said doors to provide for conjointmovement of the same,

means releasably locking said doors in said closed position, saidreleasable means providing for release of said doors to dischargematerial from said hopper, the improvement comprising;

a door closing mechanism including a support stationarily positioned toone side of a track on which said car is positioned,

a closing arm having first and second actuating means on opposite endsthereof,

means supporting said arm centrally between said actuating means forpivotal movement about a vertical axis on said support whereupon saidactuating means are movable therewith in a cylindrical path,

engageable means on said door,

means positioning said arm whereby said first actuating means is inactuating position to engage said engageable means on said door whensaid car is moved on said track alongside said support thereby rotatingsaid arm to provide a lateral force and move said doors to said closedposition and said second actuating means is moved into actuatingposition.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 9,

including means positioning said arm in said actuating position whereinit extends diagonally relative to the direction of movement of said car,said means including;

a cam connected to said arm for rotation therewith,

a cam follower supported on said support,

and resilient means urging said follower into engagement with said cam,

said cam having a camming configuration positioning one of saidactuating means in said actuating position after each rotative movementof said arm.

1. For a hopper car having a hopper positioned between a pair of sidesills, door means supported on said car for hinging movement onlongitudinal axes parallel to said sills from an open substantiallyvertical position to a closed substantially horizontal position beneathsaid hopper, means releasably locking said door means in said closedposition, said releasable means providing for release of said door meansto discharge material from said hopper, the improvement comprising; adoor means closing mechanism including a support stationarily positionedto one side of a track on which said car is positioned, a closing armhaving actuating means thereon, means supporting said arm for pivotalmovement about a vertical axis on said support whereby said actuatingmeans is movable in a generally cylindrical path around said axis,engageable means on said door means, means positioning said arm wherebysaid actuating means is in actuating position to engage said engageablemeans on said door means when said car is moved on said track alongsidesaid support thereby rotating said arm to provide a lateral force movingsaid door means inwardly to a closed position, and means urging said armagain into said actuating position.
 2. The invention in accordance withclaim 1, said arm in said actuating position extending diagonallyrelative to the direction of movement of said car.
 3. The invention inaccordance with claim 1, said means supporting said arm for pivotalmovement including resilient means accommodating tilting movement ofsaid arm during closing of said door means.
 4. The invention inaccordance with claim 1, said engageable means comprising a socketwithin which said actuating means is engaged during closing movement. 5.The invention in accordance with claim 1, said arm in its cylindricalmovement closing said door means having said engaged actuating meansmoving underneath said car in proximity to the longitudinal center ofsaid car.
 6. The invention in accordance with claim 1, includingresilient means urging said rotating arm to move said second actuatingmeans into actuating position.
 7. The invention in accordance with claim1, including spring activated means between said arm and said supporturging and releasably positioning said arm during rotation thereof insaid actuating position.
 8. The invention in accordance with claim 1,including resilient means associated with said means supporting said armaccommodating tilting movement of said arm during closing of said doormeans.
 9. For a hopper car having a hopper positioned between a pair ofside sills, a pair of doors supported on said car for hinging movementon longitudinal axes parallel to said sills from an open substantiallyvertical position to a closed substantially horizontal position beneathsaid hopper, linkage means interconnecting said doors to provide forconjoint movement of the same, means releasably locking said doors insaid closed position, said releasable means providing for release ofsaid doors to discharge material from said hopper, the improvementcomprising; a door closing mechanism including a support stationarilypositioned to one side of a track on which said car is positioned, aclosing arm having first and second actuating means on opposite endsthereof, means supporting said arm centrally between said actuatingmeans for pivotal movement about a vertical axis on said supportwhereupon said actuating means are movable therewith in a cylindricalpath, engageable means on said door, means positioning said arm wherebysaid first actuating means is in actuating position to engage saidengageable means on said door when said car is moved on said trackalongside said support thereby rotating said arm to provide a lateralforce and move said doors to said closed position and said secondactuating means is moved into actuating position.
 10. The invention inaccordance with claim 9, including means positioning said arm in saidactuating position wherein it extends diagonally relative to thedirection of movement of said car, said means including; a cam connectedto said arm for rotation therewith, a cam follower supported on saidsupport, and resilient means urging said follower into engagement withsaid cam, said cam having a camming configuration positioning one ofsaid actuating means in said actuating position after each rotativemovement of said arm.